Flat panel display device

ABSTRACT

A flat panel display device including a casing, a display panel and an extruded metallic bracket is provided. The casing has a front surface and a back surface opposite to the front surface. The display panel is disposed on the front surface. The extruded metallic bracket is connected to the back surface for supporting the casing above a work surface.

This application claims the benefit of Taiwan application Ser. No. 94131483, filed Sep. 13, 2005, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates in general to a flat panel display device, and more particularly to a flat panel display device which supports a casing having a display panel above a work surface by an extruded metallic bracket.

2. Description of the Related Art

Living in today's society where science and technology advance rapidly, flat panel display device has become an indispensable appliance to modern people in their everyday life. Having the advantages of slimness, lightweight, compactness, no radiation and quality frame display, the flat panel display device has gradually replaced cathode ray tube (CRT) monitor and become one of the most popular electronic products.

Conventional flat panel display device includes a casing, a display panel and a supporting mechanism. The supporting mechanism includes a base, a spindle and a connecting element. The casing has a front surface and a back surface opposite to the front surface. The display panel is disposed on the front surface of the casing. One end of the connecting element is connected to the back surface of the casing. The other end of the connecting element is connected to the base via the spindle for enabling the casing and the supporting mechanism to swing with respect to the base. Besides, the base overlaps with the desktop for enabling the supporting mechanism to support the casing and the display panel on the desktop.

However, conventional supporting mechanism needs plethora parts and is complicated in terms of structure and assembly, hence costing more in terms of manufacturing. Besides, most conventional supporting mechanisms are made of plastics and are normally sprayed with paint. Therefore, conventional supporting mechanism is difficult to be recycled and is unfriendly to the environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a flat panel display device. The design of supporting a casing having a display panel above a work surface by an extruded metallic bracket largely transcends the restraints imposed by a conventional supporting mechanism. Unlike the conventional supporting mechanism which is complicated in terms of parts, structure and assembly, the extruded metallic bracket of the invention is simple in structure and costs less than the conventional supporting mechanism in terms of manufacturing. Moreover, compared with the conventional supporting mechanism, the extruded metallic bracket of the invention is easier to be recycled and better complies with environmental conservation.

The invention achieves the above-identified object by providing a flat panel display device including a casing, a display panel and an extruded metallic bracket. The casing has a front surface and a back surface opposite to the front surface. The display panel is disposed on the front surface. The extruded metallic bracket is connected to the back surface for supporting the casing above a work surface.

The invention further achieves the above-identified object by providing a flat panel display device including a casing, a display panel and an extruded aluminum bracket. The casing has a front surface and a back surface opposite to the front surface. The display panel is disposed on the front surface. The extruded aluminum bracket used for supporting the casing above a work surface includes a bottom portion, a top portion and a crooked portion. The bottom portion overlaps with the work surface. The top portion is connected to the back surface. The crooked portion connects the bottom portion to the top portion.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred but non-limiting embodiments. The following description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a flat panel display device according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a flat panel display device according to a second embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 3 is a side view of a flat panel display device according to a third embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

First Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 1, a side view of a flat panel display device according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown. In FIG. 1, the flat panel display device 10 includes a casing 11, a display panel 12 and an extruded metallic bracket 13. The casing 11 has a front surface 11 a and a back surface 11 b opposite to the front surface 11 a. The display panel 12 is disposed on the front surface 11 a. The extruded metallic bracket 13 is connected to the back surface 11 b for supporting the casing 11 above a work surface 14.

In the present embodiment of the invention, the extruded metallic bracket 13 can be an extruded aluminum bracket. Besides, the extruded metallic bracket 13 includes a bottom portion 13 a, a top portion 13 b and a crooked portion 13 c. The bottom portion 13 a overlaps with the work surface 14. The top portion 13 b is connected to the back surface 13 b. The crooked portion 13 c connects the bottom portion 13 a to the top portion 13 b. The top portion 13 b is substantially perpendicular to the bottom portion 13 a. The bottom portion 13 a, the top portion 13 b and the crooked portion 13 c can be integrally formed in one piece. The thickness of the bottom portion 13 a, the thickness of the top portion 13 b and the thickness of the crooked portion 13 c can be the same or different. The thickness of the bottom portion 13 a, the thickness of the top portion 13 b and the thickness of the crooked portion 13 c can be larger than 30 mm. Furthermore, the structure of the extruded metallic bracket 13 looked like “2” of Arabic numerals.

As for how the top portion 13 b is connected to the back surface 11 b is briefed below. However, the technology of the present embodiment of the invention is not limited thereto. For example, the top portion 13 b is connected to the back surface 11 b by ways of a snap fastener incorporated with dowelling joint, hinge joint, button joint, waisted spindle joint, taper joint, screw joint, rivet joint, angular joint, cup joint, bolt joint, buckle joint or lock joint.

Any one who is skilled in the technology of the present embodiment of the invention will understand that the technology of the present embodiment of the invention is not limited thereto. For example, the display panel 12 includes a liquid crystal display panel (LCD panel), an organic light emitting (OLED) display panel, a plasma display panel (PDP) or an organic electroluminescent device (OELD). Besides, the flat panel display device 10 includes a TV, or a monitor. The designed shape of the extruded metallic bracket 13 can be achieved by an extruded mold. Furthermore, surface treatment such as atomizing treatment, polishing treatment, electroplating treatment, anodic treatment, normal treatment or drilling and cutting treatment can be applied to the surface of the extruded metallic bracket 13 to further prettify the extruded metallic bracket 13.

Second Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 2, a side view of a flat panel display device according to a second embodiment of the invention is shown. The flat panel display device 20 of the present embodiment of the invention differs with the flat panel display device 10 of the first embodiment in the buffer 15. As for other similar elements, the same reference labels are used and their connections are not repeated here.

In FIG. 2, compared with the flat panel display device 10 of the first embodiment, the flat panel display device 20 of the present embodiment of the invention further includes a buffer 15 disposed on the bottom surface of the bottom portion 13 a for contacting the work surface 14. Therefore, the present embodiment of the invention disposes the buffer 15 between the extruded metallic bracket 13 and the work surface 14 to enhance the shockproof and anti-skidding ability of the flat panel display device 20 with respect to the work surface 14. Besides, buffer 15 includes an elastic rubber, an elastic plastic or an elastic high polymer material.

Third Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 3, a side view of a flat panel display device according to a third embodiment of the invention is shown. The flat panel display device 30 of the present embodiment of the invention differs with the flat panel display device 10 of the first embodiment in the turntable 16. As for other similar elements, the same reference labels are used and their connections are not repeated here.

In FIG. 3, compared with the flat panel display device 10 of the first embodiment, the flat panel display device 30 of the present embodiment of the invention further includes a turntable 16 disposed on the bottom surface of the bottom portion 13 a for enabling the casing 11, the display panel 12 and the extruded metallic bracket 13 to synchronically rotate on the work surface 14 around the normal (such as the z-direction) of the work surface 14. The turntable 16 can be connected to the bottom portion 13 a via a spindle. Besides, the turntable 16 can be fixed on the work surface 14, while the bottom portion 13 a can rotate with respect to the turntable 16. Therefore, the casing 11, the display panel 12 and the extruded metallic bracket 13 can synchronically rotate on the turntable 16 around the normal (such as the z-direction) of the work surface 14. A buffer can be disposed on the bottom surface of the turntable 16. The buffer can contact the work surface 14 to enhance the shockproof and anti-skidding ability of the flat panel display device 30. The turntable 16 can have the function of a buffer. Or, the extruded metallic bracket 13 can be fixed on the turntable 16, while the turntable 16 can rotate with respect to the work surface 14. Therefore, the casing 11, the display panel 12, the extruded metallic bracket 13 and the turntable 16 can synchronically rotate on the work surface 14 around the normal (such as the z-direction) of the work surface 14. With the design of rotating the bottom portion 13 a with respect to the turntable 16 or rotating the turntable 16 with respect to the work surface 14, the contact and friction between the bottom portion 13 a and the work surface 14 is reduced. Thus, the user can easily rotate the flat panel display device 20 on the work surface 14. Particularly, when the flat panel display device 20 is a large-scaled TV or monitor, the present embodiment of the invention has the design of disposing the turntable 16 between the base 13 a and the work surface 14, making it much easier to rotate the flat panel display device 20.

According to the flat panel display device disclosed in the above embodiments, the design of supporting a casing having a display panel above a work surface by an extruded metallic bracket largely transcends the restraints imposed by a conventional supporting mechanism. Unlike the conventional supporting mechanism which is complicated in terms of parts, structure and assembly, the extruded metallic bracket of the invention is simple in structure and costs less than the conventional supporting mechanism in terms of manufacturing. Moreover, compared with the conventional supporting mechanism, the extruded metallic bracket of the invention is easier to be recycled and better complies with environmental conservation.

While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of a preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements and procedures, and the scope of the appended claims therefore should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements and procedures. 

1. A flat panel display device, comprising: a casing having a front surface and a back surface opposite to the front surface; a display panel disposed on the front surface; and an extruded metallic bracket connected to the back surface for supporting the casing above a work surface.
 2. The flat panel display device according to claim 1, wherein the extruded metallic bracket comprises: a bottom portion overlapping with the work surface; a top portion connected to the back surface; and a crooked portion connecting the bottom portion to the top portion.
 3. The flat panel display device according to claim 2, wherein the top portion is connected to the back surface by ways of a snap fastener incorporated with dowelling joint, hinge joint, button joint, waisted spindle joint, taper joint, rivet joint, angular joint, screw joint, cup joint, bolt joint, buckle joint or lock joint.
 4. The flat panel display device according to claim 2, wherein the bottom portion, the top portion and the crooked portion are integrally formed in one piece.
 5. The flat panel display device according to claim 2, wherein the thickness of the bottom portion, the thickness of the top portion and the thickness of the crooked portion are the same.
 6. The flat panel display device according to claim 2, wherein the thickness of the bottom portion, the thickness of the top portion and the thickness of the crooked portion are all larger than 30 mm.
 7. The flat panel display device according to claim 2, wherein the thickness of the bottom portion, the thickness of the top portion and the thickness of the crooked portion are different.
 8. The flat panel display device according to claim 2, wherein the top portion is substantially perpendicular to the bottom portion.
 9. The flat panel display device according to claim 2, further comprising: a buffer disposed on the bottom surface of the bottom portion for contacting the work surface.
 10. The flat panel display device according to claim 9, wherein the buffer comprises an elastic rubber, an elastic plastic or an elastic high polymer material.
 11. The flat panel display device according to claim 2, further comprising: a turntable disposed on the bottom surface of the bottom portion for enabling at least the casing, the display panel and the extruded metallic bracket to synchronically rotate on the work surface around the normal of the work surface.
 12. The flat panel display device according to claim 11, wherein the turntable is fixed on the work surface, and the casing, the display panel and the extruded metallic bracket rotate on the turntable synchronically.
 13. The flat panel display device according to claim 11, wherein the extruded metallic bracket is fixed on the turntable, and the casing, the display panel, the extruded metallic bracket and the turntable rotate on the work surface synchronically.
 14. The flat panel display device according to claim 1, wherein the extruded metallic bracket is an extruded aluminum bracket.
 15. The flat panel display device according to claim 1, wherein the display panel comprises a liquid crystal display panel (LCD panel), an organic light emitting (OLED) display panel, a plasma display panel (PDP) or an organic electroluminescent device (OELD).
 16. The flat panel display device according to claim 1, comprises TV, or monitor.
 17. A flat panel display device, comprising: a casing having a front surface and a back surface opposite to the front surface; a display panel disposed on the front surface; and an extruded aluminum bracket for supporting the casing above a work surface, wherein the extruded aluminum bracket comprises: a bottom portion overlapping with the work surface; a top portion connected to the back surface; and a crooked portion connecting the bottom portion to the top portion.
 18. The flat panel display device according to claim 17, wherein the bottom portion, the top portion and the crooked portion are integrally formed in one piece.
 19. The flat panel display device according to claim 17, further comprising: a buffer disposed on the bottom surface of the bottom portion for contacting the work surface.
 20. The flat panel display device according to claim 17, further comprising: a turntable disposed on the bottom surface of the bottom portion for at least enabling the casing, the display panel and the extruded aluminum bracket to synchronically rotate on the work surface around the normal of the work surface. 